Austin vows "all necessary actions" after US troop deaths

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin vowed on Monday that the United States would take "all necessary actions" to defend U.S. troops as he expressed outrage and sorrow over a Sunday drone attack by Iran-backed militants that killed three U.S. troops and wounded dozens more.

"Let me start with my outrage and sorrow (for) the deaths of three brave U.S. troops in Jordan and for the other troops who were wounded," Austin said at the Pentagon.

"The President and I will not tolerate attacks on U.S. forces and we will take all necessary actions to defend the U.S. and our troops."

(Reporting by Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart)